HAWTHORN superboot Matt Suckling appears certain to miss Friday night’s clash against Collingwood with a knee injury.
The defender was subbed out a half time after suffering the injury, with GM – Footballer Operations Chris Fagan all but confirming he won’t play against the Pies.
The Hawks expect the lethal left footer, however, to be fit for the side’s first final in two weeks.
“I’d say it’s very unlikely that he’ll play this week,” Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au
“Hopefully he’ll be right for the following week but he’s almost a certainty not to play (this week).”
Fagan dispelled rumours Jack Gunston was under an injury cloud though, declaring the gun forward is a certainty to face the Pies at the MCG.
Despite landing awkwardly on his ankle in the last quarter of Saturday night’s victory over the Cats, Gunston trained strongly with his teammates at Waverley Park on Tuesday.
“He was as good as gold at training this morning and we fully expect he’ll take his place in the team on Friday night,” Fagan confirmed.
Meanwhile, star Hawk Cyril Rioli remains on track to return during the finals as he continues to rehab his injured hamstring.
“He’s progressing well, he’s doing his running program at the moment and the fitness guys are really happy with where he’s at,” Fagan said.
“We’ll know more in the next couple of weeks.”
The news isn’t as good though for promising youngster Tim O’Brien whose season is over due to a hamstring injury.
After picking up 10 disposals and taking five marks up forward, the young key position talent’s day ended prematurely when he hurt his hamstring.
It is a blow to the young gun who has taken big steps forward towards forging an AFL career after earning his debut in Round 1 this year.
The young forward has booted 12 goals in 15 VFL games this year.
In just his second season on the list, O’Brien played four senior games this year and featured in the Hawthorn line-up as recently as the Round 21 loss to Fremantle in Perth.
“He split the tendon in the hamstring, which sounds not so good. It probably means we won’t be right for the rest of the season,” Fagan said.
“It’s unfortunate for Tim because he’d played a really good game last week and the week before played against Fremantle and showed a lot of promise.
“He’s had a good season, played four senior games and taken some steps forward.
“We’ve got high hopes for him going into the future.”
